City governments predict driverless cars will fill transit gaps. 76% of officials surveyed believe AVs could help with “last mile transit”—the tricky task of connecting travelers from a transit stop to a destination.

City governments predict driverless cars will fill transit gaps. 76% of officials surveyed believe AVs could help with “last mile transit”—the tricky task of connecting travelers from a transit stop to a destination.

Fourteen percent of all land in Los Angeles County is currently devoted to parking—some 18 million spaces. What else could we do with all that space? Parking lots could become parks. Parking lanes could become bike or bus lanes.

Fourten percent of all land in Los Angeles County is currently devoted to parking—some 18 million spaces. What else could we do with all that space? Parking lots could become parks. Parking lanes could become bike or bus lanes.

Photo: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

On the street, “platooning” AVs could boost lane capacitysignificantly. Precise braking and acceleration will enable unprecedented efficiency in dense traffic.

On the street, “platooning” AVs could boost lane capacitysignificantly. Precise braking and acceleration will enable unprecedented efficiency in dense traffic.

Photo: REUTERS/Christina Hu

Overall, AV travel costs may decline to the cost of mass transit. With convenient point-to-point service, driverless rideshare services may move an ever-larger portion of riders.

But risks abound. Studies predict AVs will encourage people to drive more, not less.Commute distances may increase. That could mean more sprawl and negative environmental effects.

But risks abound. Studies predict AVs will encourage people to drive more, not less.Commute distances may increase. That could mean more sprawl and negative environmental effects.

Photo: REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

An AV-related drop in transit ridership could pose major problems. Even with their increased efficiency, private AVs will remain far less efficient than a subway or bus lane. This means congestion and emissions could skyrocket.

An AV-related drop in transit ridership could pose major problems. Even with their increased efficiency, private AVs will remain far less efficient than a subway or bus lane. This means congestion and emissions could skyrocket.

The street life that makes cities vibrant could be threatened by policies that prioritize AV efficiency and clamp down on pedestrian behavior to prevent crashes.

Policies that prioritize AV efficiency and clamp down on pedestrian behavior to prevent crashes could subvert the street life that makes cities vibrant.

Photo: iSTOCK/Lux Blue

One thing is clear: AVs can help solve cities’ problems or exacerbate them. Instead of merely accommodating driverless cars, we must decide how they can improve upon urban life and plan accordingly.

One thing is clear: AVs can help solve cities’ problems or exacerbate them. Instead of merely accommodating driverless cars, we must decide how they should shape the future of cities and plan accordingly.